understaffed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "understaffed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where not enough people are employed in a particular business/organization to be able to adequately complete the necessary tasks. Example sentence: "The small business was severely understaffed, so the employees had to work long hours to keep up with the demands of the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The international panel also found that the prosecutor general's part of the investigation was understaffed and not working up to international standards, with only three full-time staffers on Euromaidan cases.

The Guardian

Britain has recently had to employ vets from Spain and elsewhere in Europe for its sheep and cattle abattoirs because they too were understaffed.

The Guardian

But his office is understaffed and his powers fettered.

The Economist

Even if the fire brigade had lagoons of water at its disposal, it was understaffed and ill-equipped to deal with such a blaze.

The Economist

The federal police, understaffed and underpaid on $700-800 700-800, are no month for the big careels.

The Economist

The department was already the largest civilian contracting agency in the government (only the Pentagon is bigger), and was already understaffed.

The Economist

But, understaffed, the consulate had no one, or no time, to deliver the message by hand to the ambassador hundreds of miles away in deepest Anatolia.

The Economist

Police and courts are understaffed, underpaid and susceptible to bribes and threats.

The Economist

It is heavily understaffed, has no chartered accountant and has only one lawyer.

The Economist

In 1999, the bureau set up separate divisions for counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism and then understaffed them.

The Economist

The Revenue Oversight Committee, as it is known, has rejected more than half the government contracts it has screened, and is insisting on open bidding.The committee has weaknesses: it is understaffed, with only four full-timers and just five days to size up each contract.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "understaffed", consider the specific context to determine if a more nuanced term like "short-handed" or "thinly staffed" might be more appropriate. Using specific language enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "understaffed because of lack of staff". It's redundant. Instead, say "understaffed due to budget cuts" or "understaffed because of increased demand" to provide a clear reason.

Linguistic Context

The term "understaffed" primarily functions as an adjective. It describes a noun (usually an organization, department, or team) as having an insufficient number of employees. As per Ludwig AI, it is a common descriptor used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understaffed" is a commonly used adjective that describes a situation where an organization or team lacks sufficient personnel. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently used in news media to highlight operational challenges and is also found in encyclopedias. Alternatives include "short-staffed" and "short-handed", with slight differences in formality and nuance. When using "understaffed", avoid redundant phrases and ensure the reason for the understaffing is clear. With a source quality score of 89 and an expert rating of 4.5, "understaffed" is a reliable and well-understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short-staffed

Synonymous with "understaffed", but slightly more informal.

short-handed

Indicates a lack of manual labor or workforce specifically.

lacking personnel

A more formal way of saying there aren't enough staff members.

inadequately staffed

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the staffing level.

thinly staffed

Suggests the staff is spread too thinly to be effective.

low on staff

A more casual expression for having too few employees.

insufficiently manned

Similar to "understaffed", but specifically refers to male workers or workforce.

depleted of staff

Implies that staff numbers have decreased significantly.

personnel shortage

Highlights the lack of available workers or employees.

staffing deficit

Focuses on the numerical gap in the required staffing level.

FAQs

How can I use "understaffed" in a sentence?

You can use "understaffed" to describe a company or organization that does not have enough employees to operate efficiently. For example, "The hospital was "understaffed" during the holidays, leading to longer wait times".

What is the difference between "understaffed" and "short-staffed"?

"Understaffed" and "short-staffed" are often used interchangeably and have nearly identical meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context.

What are some synonyms for "understaffed"?

Some synonyms for "understaffed" include "short-handed", "lacking personnel", and "inadequately staffed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What causes an organization to be "understaffed"?

Organizations can become "understaffed" for a variety of reasons, including budget cuts, increased workload, high employee turnover, or difficulty recruiting qualified candidates. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial to resolving the staffing shortage.